This article is filled with my top recommendations of things to do in Yokohama, Japan.
Looking for things to add to your Japan itinerary? Yokohama is a port town located about one hour south of Tokyo by train, making it an easy day trip outside Tokyo.
Yokohama is Japan’s biggest port and second-largest city by population and area.
It is home to the largest Chinatown in Japan, one of the most beautiful gardens, the Ramen Museum, the Cup Noodle Museum, and many unique cafes and bars.
It is one of my favorite places to visit, and this article includes a list of places I share with friends and family whenever they ask me for places to visit in Yokohama.
What you’ll find in this article:
- Things to do in Yokohama
- Is Yokohama worth visiting?
- Is Yokohama a walkable city?
- Is 1 day enough for Yokohama?
I hope you find this article helpful!
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Things to do in Yokohama
📍 Minatomirai Station
Many of my Yokohama adventures begin at Minato Mirai Station. I want to mention this specifically because it’s a great place to start if you want to visit most of the places on this list.
📍 Queen’s Square
MinatoMirai station is located directly below Queen’s Square shopping center, home to many popular Japanese and international stores and restaurants.
I love starting the day here because the walk from Queen’s Square to the waterfront is beautiful, especially in springtime when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
📍 Yokohama Cosmo World
As you walk towards the water, you’ll pass by Yokohama Cosmo World, a small amusement park home to the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel, which is considered a symbol of Yokohama and an iconic part of the city’s skyline.
The park has free admission, and you can purchase individual tickets for each ride you want to enjoy. You can also buy a book of tickets for discount ticket prices.
You can find more information about Cosmo World in this article on YokohamaStation.com.
📍 Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama
One of the most popular places to visit in the area is the Cup Noodles Museum, where visitors can learn more about the history of how the first instant ramen was created.
The biggest draw is the CUPNOODLE Factory, where you can customize your own CUPNOODLE.
You can do this at an additional cost in addition to the museum entrance fee. You need a numbered ticket with a specific reservation time to enter the customization area.
It takes about 2 hours to go through the museum and make your own CUPNOODLE (which takes about 45 minutes).
Admission Fee:
- Admission is 500 yen for adults. High school students and younger students are free admission.
- Pay an extra 500 yen to customize your own CUPNOODLE.
- To enter the my CUPNOODLE Factory, visitors need a numbered ticket with a specific reservation time. Only a certain number of tickets are available each day, so I recommend not waiting until late afternoon to visit if you want to make your own CUPNOODLE.
Note: You don’t need to reserve these tickets ahead of time, but there are popular attractions around Japan that you will need to.
📍 Cup Noodles Museum Park
If you visit during the springtime, definitely visit the park located behind the Cup Noodles Museum near the water.
I love coming here to view the blooming sakura trees.
You can get stunning shots of the fluffy cherry blossom trees with the iconic Cosmo World Ferris Wheel in the background.
📍 Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
Did you know that there’s another noodle museum in Yokohama? But this one is focused solely on ramen.
The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum is the first ramen-themed “amusement park” that teaches you about the history of ramen and is a one-stop shop where you can try all the ramen varieties from across Japan.
Each shop focuses on a specific regional style and flavor, and you can purchase smaller portioned ramen to try multiple styles in one visit.
So, come hungry!
Admission Fee
- 450 yen for adults and 100 yen for children & seniors
- Ramen will need to be paid for separately.
Learn more about the Ramen Museum on its official website.
📍 Sankeien Garden
If you’re looking for places in Japan to view cherry blossoms or bright autumnal colors, I highly recommend visiting the Sankei-en Garden.
This garden is located in another part of Yokohama but is worth a visit.
In addition to it being a prime destination to view seasonal changes, what makes this spacious Japanese garden special is the ability to view historical, cultural properties that were brought to the garden from all over Japan.
If you have time, I recommend sitting down near the water with a drink and a snack from the cafe within the park.
Allow yourself to take a break, rest your feet, and really take in your surroundings.
Admission Fee:
- 900 yen for adults
- 200 yen for children
You can learn more about the garden through the Sankeien Website.
📍 Yokohama Yamate Historical Houses
If you’re a history buff, this next area is for you. Yokohama’s Yamate district showcases foreign architecture from Japan’s historical past.
When the Yokohama Port opened in 1859, it became the base for international exchange in Japan, and a flood of people from Europe and the Americas came to live and work there.
Yamate was a thriving official settlement area for foreigners living in Yokohama at the time.
The city has preserved many of the Western-style buildings from that era, including incredible houses and flower gardens, which are open to the public.
📍 Yokohama Motomachi Street
There are walking tours available to guide you through the area or I recommend starting from the Harbor View Park & Observatory where you can enjoy the view of Yokohama Bay.
The British House and English Rose Garden will be the first historical destination on the route.
Learn more about the history of Motomachi Shopping Street.
📍 Yokohama Chinatown
If you’re planning to visit Yokohama, Chinatown is a must. It’s one of three Chinatowns in Japan, the others being Nagasaki and Kobe.
Chinatown in Yokohama developed quickly after the port opened to foreign trade in 1859. Many Chinese traders who settled in Japan during this time lived in Chinatown.
The colorful streets can get packed on the weekends and weeknights, but the food is absolutely worth it.
I recommend veering off the main street and grabbing food on the side streets with less congestion.
📍 Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (Aka-Renga Soko)
After snacking your way through Chinatown, I recommend heading over to the Red Brick Warehouse.
In the 1920s, the warehouse was part of the port’s shipping process and was a place for customs to store unprocessed foreign goods.
Today, the Red Brick Warehouse has been converted into a local community hub where small shops, restaurants, and other businesses are located.
There are always seasonal events happening, and it’s a popular place for families and date nights. Because of this, I suggest visiting on weekdays if possible.
Visit the Aka-Renga Soko website for up-to-date information about current activities.
📍 Marine & Walk Yokohama
Located near the Red Brick Warehouse is the Marine & Walk shopping center—an open-air mall with lots of trendy, international shops and restaurants. It’s the perfect place to stop for a break and enjoy the view of the Minato Mirai port.
📍 Yokohama Wolrd Porters
The Yokohama World Porters opened in 1999 with the concept of “various worlds here.”
It is a large shopping mall with miscellaneous goods, stores, and restaurants.
The main reason I go here is the “Hawaiian Town” on the first floor, where there’s a Leonard’s (malasadas).
📍 Yokohama Air Cabin
If you plan to be in the Minato Mirai area, I recommend riding the Yokohama Air Cabin at least one way.
One-way tickets are ¥1,000 for Adults and ¥500 for kids (3 to 11 years old).
The Air Cabin is a more expensive route to take but I think it’s worth splurging on if you’re on vacation and want a unique experience that provides a different view of the city.
Bonus Tips for Visiting Yokohama
Is Yokohama worth visiting?
In my opinion, Yokohama is definitely worth a day trip out of Tokyo because of the abundance of things to do in the area. Plus, the overall vibe is entirely different from Tokyo. It feels like a modern Japan but is less crowded and not as tightly woven together as Tokyo.
I also love seeing all the international influences throughout this significant port town.
Is Yokohama a walkable city?
Yokohama is walkable, with access to many bus and train lines when necessary. Although walkable, I recommend saving your feet and using public transit when possible.
Is 1 day enough for Yokohama?
Yes, one day is enough to visit Yokohama. It’s close enough to make a day trip from Tokyo (about an hour by train).
Conclusion
I hope you found this Yokohama travel guide helpful in discovering new and unique places to add to your Japan travel itinerary. Yokohama is still one of my favorite day trips, and I always recommend that first-time Japan visitors make a stop there (time permitting).
There is always more to explore, so please let us know in the comments if you recommend any places I’ve missed!
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Videos Featuring Yokohama
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